Macy’s. Target. Banana Republic. Express. The Gap. Marshall’s. Where it regards shopping for everyday apparel, these are some of the most frequented stores in the country. I have shopped in some of these stores myself. And while the textures, styles, and quality of the clothes vary from place to place, I often find myself wondering where the really stylish women I see on television—and even out and about—are buying their clothes. I am all too familiar with the concept of creating your own look from an assortment of pieces found in boutiques, consignment shops and thrift stores. But where is a woman to find up-to-date, edgy clothes that are wear-able, but won’t be seen on everybody? Specialty boutiques typically house the kinds of garb that the fashion-forward don most often. If you’re wondering how to get your hands on some trendy, specialty threads, check out some of these web sites.
GreatGlam.com
PriceRange: ($25 – $50+)
There’s no need to lie: this web site is for the woman who loves to proudly display her assets. If you have recently had breast enhancement surgery, you will love this site, as it is filled with cleavage-bearing tops, mini-dresses, and all the stripper couture you could ever possibly want. In the web site’s defense, there are a few pieces that can be pulled off for daytime…but very few.
ModCloth.com
PriceRange: ($10 – $100+)
Do you ever wonder where Natalie Portman or Kerry Washington get their vintage-y threads? Well you too, can have the air of elegant nostalgia, by taking a stroll on this web site. Here you will discover the magic of pencil skirts, the wonder of classic polka dots, and kitschy patterned tunics. The overall lines are basically clean, classically pulled together pieces. Accessories on this site are playful, dainty, and made for the understated, yet stylish woman.
MimiMaternity.com
PriceRange: ($50 – $110+)
Long gone are the days when the expecting mother is expected to sport dull, style-less, and frumpy maternity wear. Celebrity mommies traipsing up and down the red carpet have proven to mothers everywhere that a “baby bump” doesn’t have to be a speed bump where fashion is concerned. MimiMaternity is a web site that focuses on the fashionable woman who wants her personal style to usurp her temporary motherly condition. The site is filled with roomy, yet feminine-looking blouses in prints and colors that are pleasing to the eye. The fresh crop of maternity jeans are far from the “Mom Jean”—with plenty of faded, skinny, and bootcut options to keep Mom’s look up to date. Suffice it to say, the clothes have been designed for the sophisticated mother (a hit for working moms, especially). Another added bonus is the “Secret Fit Belly”, a thin Spanx-like garment which smooths out the belly under clothing.
FunkyLaLa.com
PriceRange: ($100 – $550+)
The one phrase that might come to mind upon entering this web site is “cutting edge.” The site is filled with clothes made by designers whose names are difficult to pronounce. In light of that fact, you will find some of the most avant garde styles around. Dolman-sleeved tunic dresses, by designers such as Vivienne Westwood are just one example from the collection of luxury-inspired styles. Huge, chunky stones, and other exotic looking pieces of jewelry punctuate clothing lines that are artistically daring—as one might expect, since they’re almost as pricey as the clothes. With items such as stretch leather tights and wide-legged jumpsuits, FunkyLala.com is not for the faint of heart, or the incredibly frugal.
Torrid.com
PriceRange: ($35 – $90+)
Larger women often complain that the clothing manufactured in their sizes is often “tent-like” and uninspiring. And while stylish clothes can be found in boutiques like Ashley Stewart, and Lane Bryant, a lot of younger women find the fashions there to be somewhat conservative, or too mature-looking. Enter the stage, Torrid.com—a website for the fashion-forward full-figured woman (say that one three times, fast!) Selling everything from lace corsets, punky graphic tees, and urban-style “skinny” jeans, Torrid is perfect for the young woman with a lot of inner spunk. There is even a section called Diva Favorites which features an assortment of apparel, some bordering on fantasy. Expect to see leggings with sheen, tops that accentuate (rather than cover) curves, and skirts with lots of playful accents.
